The Arizona sentinel., 1887-07-02

The following narrative, though re
 markable, is all fact It was related
 to me by Mr. Forester himself, while I
 was on board the ship with him, and
 was vouched for in all particulars by
 Captain Roberts. All names given are
 true names of those interested, and l
 have not attempted to embellish the narrative, but give it in Mir. Forester's s
 own words:
 "Yes, if it will interest you, have no objection to telling you of my lit le
 adventure in the English channel last summer, although I shudder at times when think of my narrow. escape.
 As you are aware, I have been chief engineer of the steamship Kingdom for several years. and I really think
 that good luck will follow me as long
 as I remain by her. Well, we left the
 port of Dunkirk on the coast of France on the afternoon of August 21, 1886, bound for Liverpool, England, the home of my wife and children. You can imagine my anxiety to reach those so dear to me much better than l can describe it No one but those who follow the sea can realize fully the feel ings of him who is homeward bound, after long absence. We had been on our way about thirty-six hours. It was my watch in the engine-room. l stood beside the great engines and watched their pulsation, and knew that every stroke made the great screw revolve and sent us nearer, nearer to our loved ones. All was going well in the engine-room, and 1 concluded l would take a breath of fresh air. Mounting the ladders, l climbed to the engine-room door on the main deck. It was now nine O clock at night. The stars shone out bright and beautiful a magnificent summer night at sea. The captain and his wife (who had joined him at DunkIrk) were on the ships bridge, the Captain keeping sharp lookout for Dungeness light on the English coast. The ships log reg istered ten and one-half knots per hour, and that light should have been in sight: Captain Roberts, seeing me, remarked that the ship was not doing as well as he expected, as the light should now be in sight I was satis- fled that the light would soon show up, and made myself comfortable on the port rail amidships to lunch on the coffee and crackers that the steward served me with at this hour. l drank the coffee and sat the cup on the rail and at that moment I saw flash al- most dead ahead.
 'To make sure it was Dungeness light, I stood up on the rail, and placing my hand over my head and taking hold of the steering rod leaned over the side as far as could. As did so the movement of the rcd brought my hand in contact with the block Tn the shieve. Fearing my hand would get caught I reached up the other, intending to change hands. let go too soon and missed my hold, and the next moment I found myself plunging head foremost into the Eng fish channel, fifteen miles from land.
 Instantly I knew I must plunge deep down under the water and swim from the ship to save myself from be- ing drawn into the wheel by suction. came to the surface just astern of the ship, and facing her. The spray from the propeller was driven against my face with such force it seemed as if it cut the flesh. I turned my back for moment and then the problem of life and eternity was instantly before me. threw myself on my back and foated.
 "I saw the great cloud of black smoke roll out from the ships funnel and fall over the water knew no one had seen me fall over the ships | side. Irealized at once that all those so near, either one of whom would | have rescued me at the peril of his | own life, were unconsciously leaving | me. 1 was not missed on the ship till | midnight two hours after had fallen | overheard. The ship was searched engine, boiler and fire rooms-in the | expectation of finding me disabled. 1 At last my cup and plate were found | on the ships rail. To those on board | the problem was solved-it was unani- mously voted that l had dropped asleep | and fallen overheard while sitting on the rail. All thought 1t too late to put l